Which of the following actions constitutes willful misconduct for a notary public in Illinois?

The action that constitutes willful misconduct for a notary public in Illinois is knowingly and willfully committing official misconduct. This underscores the responsibility of notaries to act within the scope of their authority and to adhere to the laws governing their duties. Official misconduct involves a notary acting with the intent to deceive or corruptly disregarding their obligations under the law, which directly threatens the integrity of the notarization process.

In contrast, operating without a commission represents a neglect of required legal standing rather than willful misconduct since it involves administrative oversight rather than intentional wrongdoing. Failing to charge for services does not fall under the category of willful misconduct; it might reflect a lack of knowledge about established protocols rather than an intention to deceive. Providing free legal advice, while potentially outside the notary's role, doesn't specifically pertain to the official misconduct as defined by misconduct guidelines for notaries in Illinois, but may raise ethical concerns.

Understanding these distinctions clarifies what actions could lead to serious consequences for a notary within the scope of their responsibilities.